Satisfied with Broken

Recently, after a late night of playing sports, a friend decided to surprise me with some ice cream! We rolled up to the empty drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant and requested two small milkshakes. “Sorry,” said the voice on the other end. “Our ice cream machine is broken.”

We settled for another snack and drove home.

Exactly two weeks later, we were in the same situation, and my friend thought we should try again. With feelings of déjà vu, we approached the drive-thru and in front of the menu rolled down our window. “How can I help you?” said the mysterious voice. “Hello,” replied my friend. “We’d like to order two milkshakes.” We held our breath and crossed our fingers.

The answer? “I’m sorry, our ice cream machine is broken.” Two whole weeks! And nothing.

As we drove away, I couldn’t help but consider how well this illustrates some people’s predicament and their response. This is a hard message to hear, but how often are we, too, satisfied with broken? We don’t operate or function as our Maker intended, but we’re content. We don’t search for the missing part. Neither do we call the designer, the manufacturer, or the handyman, when they might have the skill to diagnose and correct the problem.

Yes, we live in a broken, fallen world. There are pieces that will never be put back together this side of heaven. However, there is a redemption that is possible for followers of Christ and that God desires for us as we seek His will, obey Him, and put Him first.

Of course, the solution may cost us; ice cream machines don’t fix themselves, and nothing is fixed for free. Because of this, sometimes it’s easier to remain in brokenness than to trudge forward into rich and promised though unfamiliar territory. There are giants that will meet us and cities that must be taken. There will be parts to be ordered and blood, toil, tears, and sweat.

Yet, it will be labor dedicated to one end: healing, by the grace and to the glory of God. Jesus has already paid the price. Now, we may come to Him, and He is more than willing to give us the victory that is ours (1 Cor. 15:57).

Miracles are possible. Some ice cream machines may be fixed overnight; however, that’s not the norm. Overnight wonders do happen, but most of the time the work called sanctification requires a long, enduring commitment; obedience; and the careful, intricate work of a steady, divine hand.

Broken is the state of our world, and only in heaven will we be completely restored. I hesitate to use terms like “fix” and “solve” when it comes to people. We are more than an ice cream machine. Yet, I wonder if the same principle doesn’t apply.

The handyman is willing, and the price has been paid. Let us not be satisfied with lesser. Costly may be the repair, but costlier still is the long-term loss. Let us live as we were designed and seek out the help required. And let us not become so comfortable with broken that we lose sight of or forget that there is such a thing as whole.